COULD JUPITERS BE THE NEXT 'STAR' IN ECHO'S SKY?

ECHO Entertainment Group (ASX: EGP) has posted a profit surge, recording a statutory NPAT of nearly $97 million, up almost 111 per cent from the prior corresponding period.

Across the spectrum, results for the period endorse EGP's argument for its Queen's Wharf proposal and plans for Jupiters Gold Coast (render pictured left).

According to the results released today, EGP's normalised EBITDA measured at $261.4 million up 31.5 per cent from the prior corresponding period, driven by a normalised gross revenue that had climbed 28.3 per cent to $1.16 billion.

Gambling and gaming have shown a sharp increase, tables up 17.7 per cent across the group, and slots up 16.3 per cent.

The Star Sydney has been the biggest shiner in the group as of late, revelling in a normalised gross revenue of $820 million up 38.8 per cent and an increase in EBITDA of 19.5 per cent to $340 million.

In more local news, Jupiters Gold Coast and Treasury Brisbane have been performing strongly, their revenue collectively weighing in for the period as $340 million up 8.6 per cent the prior corresponding period.

All in all though, EGP's International VIP Rebate Business was the biggest mover up the chart, with its revenue increasing 86.1 per cent. In a report released today, EGP singled out its newly developed Jupiters as being ripe to capitalise on the growth of its International VIP Rebate Business going forward.

Poised for further amenity development and a level 21 VIP gaming salon, Jupiters is set to form a large portion of $200 to $250 million in capital expenditure being laid out by EGP over the next half year, with another significant stake going towards The Star.

"The momentum is for The Star in the short term, but over this year and the next we will be investing a lot in Jupiters," says EGP CEO Matt Bekier (pictured right).

"It will take a bit of disruption and time to gain attraction with all of the casino's new products and services.

"But from 2016 onwards, we are expecting a lot from Queensland."

Bekier listed its Queensland operations as forming the bulk of its strategic priorities going forward.

"Our priorities for this financial year remain unchanging," he says.

"First, we want to continue to grow earnings across the group through a focus on operations.

"Second, we need to deliver on the initial stages of the capital program to substantially expand and redevelop the Jupiters Gold Coast property.

"And third, we seek to work with the Queensland Government and our consortium partners on advancing our proposal for the development of Queens's Wharf Brisbane."

EGP's Queensland market share has increased slightly from the previous corresponding group, climbing from 26.1 per cent to 28.7 per cent.

The company cites improvements to its loyalty program, an expanded sales team, and "leveraging the modernisation of regulatory environment in Queensland" as key contributors to this outcome.

Earnings per share has risen significantly to 11.8 cents, from 7.3 cents the previous corresponding period.

After staying steady at 4 cents for the past few reporting periods, EGP's dividend per share has climbed to 5 cents fully franked.Bekier says he expects this upswing to continue.